13. Molten Wax Eyelash Beads
Aside from one extraordinary period in the middle ages when women plucked their eyelashes out, long eyelashes have been valued as a symbol of feminine beauty and alluring eyes. Stage and silent film actresses especially wanted long, dark and noticeable eyelashes for their performances. With false eyelashes not being invented until well into the 20th century, earlier women had to get creative to highlight their lashes.
Solid mascaras have existed for at least a century, with early versions featuring a kohl-like powder that was brushed onto the lashes with a dampened bristle brush. However, as we all know, mascara cannot, despite advertisements to the contrary, cannot replicate the effect of false eyelashes. Even after false eyelashes were invented, the high-cost animal hair lashes were still out of reach for many entertainers.
The solution women found in the early 20th century was applying molten wax to their eyelashes. Unsurprisingly, using droplets of hot wax near incredibly delicate human eyes wasn’t the safest idea, and many women suffered minor burns with one woman famously catching on fire after the wax ignited her clothing. The effect was quite glamorous though, with every single eyelash bearing a tiny bead on the tip.